townsend



W. H. TOWNSEND.

Straw-Matting.

No. 225,735. Patented Mar. 23, 1880.

WITNESSES INVENTOR %Z% W%:W

. J By ATTORNEY NPETF-RE. NOTO-U?HOGMPHE& WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WISNEB H. TOWNSEND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STRAW MATTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,735, dated March23, 1880.

Application filed January 16, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WISNER H. TOWNSEND, of the city, county, and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in StrawMatting, of which the following is aspecification.

Large quantities of straw matting, which is known as China or Cantonmatting, are yearly imported into the United States and used extensivelyfor covering floors. This matting wears out quickly, especially whenmoving furniture, such as chairs, bedsteads, tables,

&c., thereon, as it has too little strength and body to resist thestrain to which it is exposed.

My invention is designed to improve this matting in such a manner thatnot only a stronger and more substantial floor-covering is obtained,which is capable of resisting in a higher degree the wear and tear towhich it is exposed, but which is also more attractive and moreornamental in appearance.

The invention consists of a straw matting, to the under side of which isapplied a stifl'ening layer of glue, cement, or other rigid material,which is forced by pressure into the inter stices of the same, so thatthis layer becomes embodied therewith. The fabric which is thus preparedand stiffened is then printed with oil-colors in any suitable design.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top View, and Fig. 2a vertical transverse section, of my improved floor-covering.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the matting, which is prepared by covering the under side of thesame with a coating, 13, of elastic glue, cement, or similar material,which is pressed into the matting in such a manner that the glue entersinto and fills all the interstices of the matting. The layer B unitesintimately with the matting, and imparts, when dry, a certain stiffnesst0 the same, so as to render it stronger, firmer, and more durable.

The stiffening-layer of glue forms ridges between the parts of thematting, gives a certain body and consistency to the same, and makes itmore nearly resemble one piece.

After the matting is perfectlydry itis printed on the face side inoil-colors of any suitable designs, in the manner of floor oil-cloth, itbeing, by the stifi'ening-backing, adapted to re ceive and retain thecolors without yielding to the printing blocks or when in use. It istherefore not only more durable, but also more ornamental, being moreattractive, as it may be made up in a variety of styles, which werehitherto not attainable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent As a new article of manufacture, a straw mattingstiffened on the reverse side with a coating of glue or equivalentadhesive material, whereby the straws are caused to adhere closelytogether, and printed in colors on the upper side, substantially as setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of two witnesses, this 10th day of J anuuary, 1880.

WISNER H. TOWNSEND. Witnesses PAUL GoEPEL, CARL KARI.

